Typewriter platen



Nov. 25, 1941. M. BLUM TYPEWRITER PLATEN Filed 001;. 4, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 25, 1941. M. BVLUM 2,263,563

TYPEWRITER PLATEN Filed Oct. 4, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 SAW M. BLUM TYPEWRITER PLATEN Filed Oct 4 1939 W WWN I NOV. 25,1941. BLUM TYPEWRITER PLATEN Filed Oct. 4, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Nov. 25, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TYPEWRITER. PLATEN Milton Blum, Mankatc, Minn.

Application October 4, 1939, Serial No. 297,937-

14 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in typewriter platens. Specifically, the improvement resides in a disappearing card, label or envelope holder.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a retractable holding mechanism, hereinafter called a copy-holder, in which a card, label or envelope, hereinafter referred to by the generic term copy sheet, may be held beneath aletter sheet with a transfer web in the form of a carbon paper or an ink ribbon therebetween so that, when the sendees name and address are written on the letter sheet, an identical inscription will be I a copy-holder which may be shifted to replace a smooth platen surface and in which the: copy sheet may be placed after the body of the letter sheet has been transcribed, in cases where the sendees name and address are placed. at the end of the letter.

It is also intended toprovide a copy-holder capable of holding a plurality of labels, both in exposed and in contracted position.

While in the preferred embodiment of this invention it is proposed to provide means for holding a sheet of carbon paper between the letter and copy sheets, an alternative embodiment includes a ribbon magazine for supplying an inked ribbon in place of the carbon paper. According to a third embodiment, it is intended to provide a magazine-type feeding and holding mechanism for labels, cards and the like, the main surface of which, when not being used for holding labels or cards, lies nomal to the regular platen surface and forms an integral part there- One of the essential characteristics of the third embodiment is that it is capableof. holding a relatively large number of labels or cards, or it may be used with equal facility for holding a, single label. i 1

Still further objects include the provision of an improved platen readily adaptable for use with common use; which may be economically manufactured; and which, by being extremely simple and efficient in operation, will result in greatsavings of time and money on the part of the stenograp-her.

Full and complete understanding of the invention may be had from the following specification and drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view, partially broken away, showing the copy-holder in operative position on the platen;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view, partially broken away and with the end structure removed, showing the copy-holder retracted and with the smooth platen portion substituted therefor;

Fig. 3 is a cross section along the lines 3-3 of Fig. 9, looking. in the direction of the arrows but showing the parts 28 and 30' in raised position;

Figs. 4 to 8, inclusive, are perspective detailed views of one of the principal inner parts;

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section along the lines 9-9 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 10 is a side elevation, partially broken away, of the inner parts of a modification;

Fig. 11 is a cross section along the lines |l l l of Fig. 10 of the completely assembled parts of the modification;

any of the several types of typewriters now in 55 Fig. 12 is a perspective detail oftwo parts shown in Fig. 10;

Fig. 13 is an elevation, partially in section, of a third embodiment;

Fig. 14 is a plan view of the embodiment as illustrated in Fig. 13; i

Fig. 15 is a cross section along the lines 5 5 of Fig. 13, showing the third embodiment in one position;

Fig. 16 is a view similar to Fig. 15, but showing the third embodiment in a second position; and

Fig. 17 is a diagrammatic showing. of a detail of the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 13 to 16, inclusive.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 9,. inclusive, reference numeral 2. indicates a typewriter platen having a. hard, rubber, outer sleeve 4 and a wooden core member 6. The core member is split andhas a separate end section 8v secured to sleeve4 by screws 9, and on the outer end of which a metallic face plate 10 is secured by means of screws I2.

Face plate It] has, as indicated by reference numeral M; a. bushing, on the inner side of which tubular shaft i6 is rigidly secured, as by soldering or spot welding, and shaft 16 carries at its outer end. a handle 20 having a bushing 22 secured to the shaft by set screw 24. A spacer sleeve such as the one indicated by reference numeral 1 8 may be placed on shaft I6 to insure proper spacing of handle from the end of the platen.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, it will be seen that the platen has replaceable sections 26 and 32 which may be substituted for each other as desired. The section 26, when exposed as shown in Fig. 1, presents a frame 28 pivoted thereto, as shown at 61, 61 and the frame, preferably of sheet metal, has spring clips 36 and 36 rigidly secured thereon. The pivoted frame is for holding an envelope, label or card, broadly referred to as a copy sheet, and a sheet of carbon paper may be held over the copy sheet by spring clips 30 and 36'. As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, clip 30 is in raised condition, the clips normally lying close against the frame.

Means are provided for retracting thepaperretaining platen section 26 into the interior of platen 2 and for simultaneously substituting the smooth platen section 32. After the copy sheet has been inscribed with the name and address as written on a letter sheet held thereover in the typewriter, the copy sheet may be removed by pulling it from beneath the frame. After manually depressing section 26, operating handle 34 is rotated clockwise and smooth platen section 32 is thereby turned into place as shown in Fig. 2. A guide plate 36 may be secured at the end of platen 2 for indicating the location of the changeable portion of the platen.

The internal mechanism of the device may best be understood from cross-sectional Figs. 3 and 9 and the principal parts thereof shown in Figs. 4 to 8, inclusive, wherein it is shown that the parts are surrounded by a metal sleeve 38, also shown in Fig. 7. Metal sleeve 38 has an opening, as indicated generally by the reference numeral 48, one end of the sleeve being secured to wooden core member 6 by screw 42.

Referring to Figs. 5 and 9, the moving parts are supported on a central tubular shaft 44 which is provided with annular bearings 46 and 48 near each end, the bearings being supported in suitable apertures 47 and 49 in the core sections, as indicated in Fig. 9. As shown in Fig. 9, bearing 48 and the central tubular shaft are provided with arcuate slots 50 and EI, respectively, into which screw 42 is engaged to limit the angular movement of the movable parts between the two positions shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

A pair of wheel members 52 and 54 are rigidly mounted on central tubular shaft 44 by pins 53 and 55 so as to rotate therewith. As shown in detail in Fig. 8, the wheel members each have four slots 56 arranged in opposed pairs, the opposed slots being joined by the borings 56 for accommodating a coil spring 66 between each opposed pair.

As shown particularly in Figs. 4 and 6, the replaceable platen sections 26 and 32 carry laterally-extending arms 62 and 62', respectively, which slidably engage in slots 56 so that the replaceable platen sections are normally biased towards an expanded position relative to the central tubular shaft by coil spring 60. a

When assembled, as shown in the cross-sectional views, the sleeve 38 limits the outward or expanding movement of the platen sections so that, as the sections engage within the opening 48, the outer surfaces thereof will lie substantially flush with the surface of platen 2.

In the mechanical adaptation of the invention, it was found best to provide a bed plate 64 to which the arms 62 were secured and to which the paper-retaining section 26 was secured, with spacer strips 65 therebetween, by a screw 66 as shown in Fig. 9. It was also expedient to secure the hinges 61, 61 for frame 28 to bed plate 64 so as to leave section 26 with a relatively unobstructed surface.

Operating handle 34 is joined to central tubular shaft 44 by means of solid operating shaft III which is rotatably engaged through tubular shaft I6, the operating handle being secured to the shaft by set screw 7 I, and the operating shaft being secured to the tubular shaft 44 by hub I2 which is rigidly secured, as shown at I3 and 15, to both members.

The modification disclosed in Figs. 10 to 12, inclusive, operates, in most respects, as does the device described in the previous figures in that a platen I02 having a hard rubber sleeve I04 and wooden core members (not shown) has mounted therein the movable platen section I26 carrying hinged frame I28 and spring clips I36 and I36. The sections I44 and I44 which form a split central shaft are rotatably supported in suitable annular bearings engaged in apertures in the core members, and each of the shaft sections carries a wheel member I52 and I54, respectively, the wheel members being provided with opposed pairs of slots I56, borings I58 and springs I66 for slidably and resiliently supporting the arms I62 and I62 on the platen sections, as previously taught.

The object of the device in this modification, however, is to provide, in addition to the features of the device shown in Figs. 1 to 9, a ribboncarrying mechanism so that a web of ink ribbon may be pulled therefrom as a curtain and held between the copy sheet and hinged frame I28, thus dispensing with the need of a sheet of carbon paper. If desired, a thin pane of Cellophane or the like may be inserted between frame I28 and spring clips I30 to prevent the letter sheet from becoming soiled by the ribbon.

An ink ribbon spool I which supplies a web of ribbon I82 as shown in Fig. 11 is supported between the wheel members on a removable portion I44" of the central shaft which includes telescopic male and female square sections I86 and I88 which are biased towards extended position by coil spring I96 engaged therebetween, as shown in Fig. 10. At each end of shaft I44 an end plate I92 and I92 is engaged with the wheels by projecting keys I94 and I94, respectively. Key-ways I98, I98 are provided in the face of the wheels for engagement with the keys, and the end of shaft I44" engages in a central aperture I96 between the key-ways. Finger pieces 286 and 260' are provided for grasping the end plates so that shaft I84 may be removed for replacing the ink ribbon.

As in the first modification, this form of the invention is operated by a handle (not shown) on the end of operating shaft I'III which is rigid with shaft I44.

When a fresh piece of ribbon is needed, a new section may be pulled from the spool, after which the used part may be trimmed off. One further difference in the latter modification is that the angular movement of the movable parts is not limited. but, on the contrary, they may be turned to any desired degree to give access to V the spool.

Figs. 13 to 1'7, inclusive, illustrate a third embodiment in which structure kindred to that of the prior figures is utilized for a magazine-type feeding and holding device for a plurality of cards or labels.

The reference numeral 202 designates the typewriter platen, which includes a hard rubberout'er of Fig. 6, is provided with laterally-extending arms 262 which slidingly engage in slots 256.

Coil springs 260 tend normally to force platen section 232 outwardly to the position shown in Fig. 17, so that the outer surface thereoffiis substantially continuous with that of the remainder of the platen. Sleeve 204 is provided with undercut grooves 291, 291 on opposite edges surrounding recess R, into which grooves the spring frame 228 is removably engageable.

When a number of labels or cards are to be inscribed, they are stacked andplaced into the magazine by depressing platen section 232 into recess R. Spring frame 228 is then inserted by slight arcuate deformation into grooves 291, 291' to prevent ejectment of the labels by the springsupported platen section.

After each label is Written, it may easily be peeled from the stack and the label immediately therebelow will be presented for inscription.-

A furtherfeature of this modification resides in that, because spring frame 228 is relatively thin,nand since, when in operative position, it lies substantially flush with the platen surface, letters may be written on the typewriter while labels are held in the magazine.

While I have herein fully described my invention, I wish it to be known that I do not intend to limit myself thereby, except within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a typewriter platen, a member selectively movable between two positions to expose, respectively, either of two portions and simultaneously to retract the other of said portions within said platen, paper-holding means on one of said portions, platen-surface means on the other of said portions, and handle means at the end of said platen for moving said member to select the portion to be exposed.

2. A typewriter platen having an opening extending inwardly from the surface thereof, a member movably supported in said platen and having two retractable portions selectively engageable in said opening, the first of said portions having paper-holding means thereon, the second of said portions having a relatively smooth surface thereon, and handle means operatively connected with said member for moving the same to select the portion to be engaged in said opening, and means moving the selected portion into said opening.

3. A typewriter platen having an opening extending inwardly from the surface thereof, recess means within said platen communicating with said opening, a member movably supported by said platen in said recess and having two portions, each of which is alternately engageable in said opening and retractable in said recess means, the first of said portions having means for holding paper thereon, the second of said portions having a smooth platen surface thereon, and handle means operatively engaged with said member for moving either of said portions opposite said opening, and resilient'means for urging said portions, respectively, into said opening. J

4. A typewriter platen having an opening extending inwardly from the surface thereof, recess means within said platen inwardly of and communicating with said opening, said recess means being partially surrounded by the portion of said platen adjacent said opening, a member rotatably supported in said recess means and having two relatively movable platen sections complementary with and selectively engageable in said opening, one of said sections having paper-holding means thereon, and handle means operatively connected with said member forv rotating the same whereby selectively to bring either of said sections opposite said recess and simultaneously to bring the other of said platen sections opposite said portion of said platen,

wherebyysaid portion constrains the last-named platen section against outward movement, and means urging said platen sections radially outward with respect to said member.

5. A typewriter platen having an opening extending inwardly from the surface thereof, recess means within said platen communicating with said opening, a member rotatably supported in said recess means and having two angularly spaced platen sections slidable radially between inner and outer positions in the outer of which positions said sections are respectively engaged in said opening, in the inner of which positions said sections, are respectively retractedinsaid recess means, each of said sections being complementary with said opening, a paper-holding element on one of said sections, and handle means for rotating said member whereby selectively to allow one of said sections to engage in said opening and to retract the other of said sections in said recess means, and means to move the selected section from said inner position to said outer position.

6. A typewriter platen having an opening extending inwardly from the surface thereof, recess means within said platen communicating with said opening, a shaft rotatably supported by bearing means in said platen at each end of said recess means, a spaced pair of Wheel members rigidly mounted on said shaft, an opposed pair of platen sections complementary with and engageable in said opening, means for mounting said platen members radially slidable on said wheel members, resilient means for urging said sections outwardly, one of said sections having paper-holding means on the outer side thereof, and handle means on the end of said platen operatively connected to said shaft for rotating the same between two angular positions whereby selectively to engage either of said platen sections in said opening.

7. A typewriter platen as claimed in claim 6, and means for limiting the angular movement of said shaft with respect to said platen.

8. A typewriter platen as claimed in claim 6, and means for limiting the angular movement of said shaft with respect to said platen, said means including a circumferential slot extending partially around said shaft, and a member rigid with respect to said platen and extending into said slot.

9. A typewriter platen as claimed in claim 6, said means for mounting said platen members on said wheel members comprising two opposed pairs of slots extending inwardly from the pe-- riphery of each wheel, and a pair of laterally extending arms at each end of each platen section, said arms being slidably engaged in said slots.

10. A typewriter platen as claimed in claim 5, and transfer medium supply means rotatably supported in said recess means for supplying a web of transfer medium over the paper-holding element.

11. A typewriter platen having an opening extending inwardly from the surface thereof, recess means communicating with said opening, wheel members rotatably supported'in said platen adjacent each end of the recess means, an opposed pair of platen sections complementary with and engageable with said opening, one of said sections having paper-holding means thereon, means for mounting said sections radially slidable on said wheel members, means for sliding said sections radially outward with respect to said wheel members, a spool of transfer medium removably engaged between said wheel members for supplying a web of transfer medium to the outer side of the section having the paper-holding means, the lastnamed section having a slot therein allowing passage of said web of transfer medium, and means for rotating said wheel members whereby selectively to engage either of said platen sections in said opening.

12. In a typewriter platen, a main platen section having an opening extending inwardly from the surface thereof and a recess in the interior thereof communicating with said opening, an auxiliary platen section complementary, in outline, with said opening and retractable into said recess, projecting means rigid with said auxiliary section and engageable within a portion of the main section for limiting the relative movement therebetween, resilient means operatively engaged between said auxiliary section and said main section normally urging said auxiliary section outwardly, and paper-holding means on one of said sections.

13. In a typewriter platen, a main platen section having an opening extending inwardly from the surface thereof and a recess in the interior thereof communicating with said opening, support means on said platen section at each end of said recess, respectively, an auxiliary platen section complementary, in outline, with said opening, projecting means on each end of said auxiliary platen section slidably supported at each end by said support means, spring means operatively engaged between said sections normally urging said auxiliary section from said recess into said opening, and paper-holding means on one of said sections.

14. A typewriter platen, comprising a main platen section having an opening extending inwardly from the surface thereof, an auxiliary platen section complementary, in outline, with said opening, means fixed to said main section forming guide means, projecting means afiixed to the said auxiliary section projecting Within a portion of said main section and slidably engaged with said guide means, resilient means engaged between said sections normally urging said auxiliary section outwardly, and paper-holding means on one of said sections.

MILTON BLUM. 

